Improvement in seal-locks



Seal-Locks.

F. HAMILTON.

AM. PHOTO-LIMOGRAPH/L 60. MX( assent/5:9 PnQcEss s: Day.

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UNITED STATES PATENT CEEIOE. f

`FEED o. HAMILTON, OE NEW YORK, N. Y.Ass1eNoE To EDWARD J.

BROOKS, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEM ENT lN SEAL-LOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 139,786, dated June 10, 1873; application filed December 27, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED C. HAMILTON, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented an Improved Seal-Lock, of which the following is a specification:

My lock is constructed with two principal parts hinged together, one consisting of a shank and hookr adapted to engage with a staple in the same way as the shackle of a padlock, the other consisting of a hasp pivoted within the shank ot' the shackle, adapted to close or mouse the hook thereof, held from retraction by a spring-catch, and holding a suitable seal, which, until it is broken, prevents the forward movement of the hasp by which only the lock can be opened.

1n the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a front view partly in section of a seal-lock illustrating my invention. Fig. 2 is a side view ofthe same. Fig. 3 is a front view ot' a labelieal whch may be used in connection with my lock.

The body of the lock is made up of a shank, A, and a hook, B, which may be cast in one piece of metal, the shank being bifurcated to receive a hasp or latch, C, which is pivoted within the said shank at c. The head dof `the hasp projects forward completely across the hook B when the lock is closed, and when in this position is held by a spring-catch, E, which, by its own form and that of the notch h in which it engages, prevents the retraction ofthe hasp, but offers no resistance to its forward movement in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. l. A projection, f, onA the back of the hasp, and a recess, g, formed in the face ofthe hasp and back of the shank A, or either ot' them, adapt the hasp to hold a label-seal, S., through a perforation in which the hasp is passed before closing the lock. The position of the seal is indicated in dotted lines in Figs. l and 2. Fig. 3 illustrates one form in which the the seal may be made.

This seal may be printed, embossed, or otherwise marked with numbers or other characters, so arranged that by the use of a punch the day, month, and year on which the seal is used, the point or direction from or to which the property protected is forwarded, or any desired particulars, may be denoted.

represents an eye for the reception of a suspended chain or cord by which to attach the lock to the car, or to any place where `it may be used.

'1 he dotted lines in Fig. 1 indicate the open condition of the lock. The hook B being passed through the staple ot'.a car-door or any other object to be secured, after the manner of the shackle of a padlock, the hasp O is carried around, and, after passing it through the aperture in the 'seal S, is passed through the shank until .engaged by the catch E, at which time its head projects completely across l the opening of the hook B, while its back still projects behind the sha-nk suiiiciently to hold the loop of the seal S easily within the y The recessg without destroying said seal. seal is now plainly exposed to view, and, so long as it remains intact, the lock cannot possibly be opened. To open the lock the seal is t broken and removed, and the `hasp pressed forward into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

Itis manifest `that by making suitable recesses in the back of the shank A and the face of the hasp, the loop of the seal may be accommodated without anyV rearward projeclion of the hasp; and, While describing the invention as used in connection with a labelseal, I do not desire to limit myself thereto.

The face of the hasp where it engages with the seal may be formed with a cutting-edge to adapt it more readily to sever the seal when pressed through.

I claim as new and of my invention- The seal-lock herein described, constructed with a hooked body, A B, and a hinged or -piv oted hasp, O, passing through a mortise or opening therein and extending across the bow of the hook B, the said hasp being ada-pted to be held from forward movement by a seal, S, of suitable form, and secured against retraction by a spring-catch, E.

FEED c. HAMILTON.

Witnesses l E. J. BROOKE,

WM. H. ltrLET. 

